Gaps have occurred between my upper teeth

I have been a cpap user since the year 2000. I have significant gaps and splaying occurring on the top teeth since starting therapy. I have since read some articles calling it smashed face syndrome. My dentist thinks I'm crazy . Any insight would be helpful

Hi, I also started CPAP in 2000, & I have the same gaps. I thought mine were as a result of bad dental work as a kid, combined with the air from CPAP therapy. I had braces age 12 & they removed 8 teeth, 4 upper, 4 lower to align my teeth using braces, age 16 removed 4 wisdom teeth 'just because they could'.

I had an overbite then and after CPAP I have one again, just with fewer teeth, so my teeth are spread across the top with larges spaces in between. My neurologist said be thankful for CPAP and don't worry about teeth, he's seen it happen before.

My dentist at the time however tried to get the teeth back in place using wires glues to back of teeth to move them back - his unique form of braces - he billed in some creative way that insurance paid for it. I did that for 2 1/2 years until I went back to him for another 'adjustment' and cried so hard he removed the whole contraption. He was rather nasty, so I changed dentists.

Dentist #2 had never heard of his 'moving teeth' method, but also had never hear of CPAP patient having upper teeth to move outwards apart or any of the configurations mine have. That was when I started experimenting with masks (about 3 yrs ago) prior to finding this forum. I have no real answer, since I haven't found a mask yet that makes any difference in my teeth. Maybe someone here that has experienced this could help us both. Anyone???
Jen

I have also experienced front teeth gap since I started CPAP in 2004. I think it was due to me placing my tongue behind my teeth at night to prevent mouth leaks. The pressure of your tongue is pretty strong against your teeth.

I decided to go to the Orthodontist and after a consult, he fitted me with a retainer. After about 4 months and several tightenings, the gap is gone. I now wear the retainer to bed to prevent it from happening again. I can at this time opt for a invisiline type retainer if I wish, but I am still using the wire one for now.

I just consider it part of the whole treatment of my sleep apnea, and it is an easy fix. I hope this helps.

Karen

Karen,
Thanks, I'm going to see if my dentist will do this. If not, I'll find one who will. I've pretty much lived with this since disaster with 1st dentist. I'm glad someone else posted asking about this, because I never would have thought to ask.
Thanks Rtzifrtzi,
Jen

Rtzifrtzi wrote:I have been a cpap user since the year 2000. I have significant gaps and splaying occurring on the top teeth since starting therapy. I have since read some articles calling it smashed face syndrome. My dentist thinks I'm crazy . Any insight would be helpful

Get another dentist, one that knows orthodontics. You need a retainer.

I, too, had a small gap appear between my upper central incisors after starting CPAP. Other than that, I have all my teeth (wisdom teeth only on left side) and they are properly aligned. I attribute that gap to my prone sleeping position, where my lower jaw tends to push forward (probably a natural mechanism to stretch the soft tissue around my pharynx) and pushes forward on my upper teeth. None of my dentists had remarked on that, other than one who wanted to file off my lower teeth(!?) I use a custom teeth guard (silicone that I shape with heat around an impression of my lower jaw) and a self-made chin strap to hold my lower jaw back. Not perfect but it keeps it within reason.
McSleepy

An Orthodontist aligns your teeth by applying pressure over a period of time and slowly aligns your teeth. If you keep pressure on your teeth at night with your tongue I can see where you could move your teeth very easily over a period of time.

I have big gap between my natural upper teeth. In fact I only have one of them left.

lazer wrote:I have big gap between my natural upper teeth. In fact I only have one of them left.

Your headgear is too tight.

Rtzifrtzi wrote: Gaps have occurred between my upper teeth

Use it to your advantage.

Gap Tooth Beauties: 11 Women With A Perfect Smile

http://news.stylecaster.com/gap-tooth-b ... ect-smile/

I use a FF mask, and I had a problem with my lower teeth shifting, making a gap in one place and causing a slight overlap of my bottom front teeth. The gap isn't huge, just enough to catch food and let them get packed down so hard that the gum was inflamed despite brushing and flossing. It was really painful!

My dentist filled the gap with some dental material. But I'm concerned because the shifting is probably continuing.

I hadn't thought of checking with an orthodontist (because I know he will want to do MAJOR work I can't afford). But I will talk to my kid's orthodontist about some sort of retainer to wear at night. Thanks for the idea!

I quit using the Mirage Micro when it pushed my teeth backward.
They returned to position within a few hours, and I started using different masks. Still got it, small size.
The headgear is not pretty, and the cushions are all well-used--frame/clips have no damage.
It will never fit me. It was always too large. (rotten DME!)

They have the solution in As Sold on TV. Doggy Dentures! Really my teeth are horrible, but the worst thing they have done to me, is to allow me to get 170 pounds past my ideal weight. Jim

I wonder if a dental guard would have help? I have this one below and its a boil and bite mold.




http://www.amazon.com/DoctorS-Nightguar ... B0036WTV2C

I also have a gap before, not big enough just 2.0mm wide. I consult my dentist if I can use braces but she disagreed cause my teeth are real perfect except that tiny gap in my front teeth. I come across with a website orthofill[dot]com, they are like alternative to braces and close teeth gaps. I just ordered 2 months ago and it's now my 3rd week of using Orthofill bands but I am not really sure if the closure will be permanent really. Does anyone here also have an idea about this product?